Electronic device and power saving method thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a communication unit and processing circuitry. The communication unit is configured to receive information on whether a user wears other electronic device. The processing circuitry configured to, responsive to a predetermined event occurring, determine whether the other electronic device is worn by the user. The processing circuitry also configured to control the communication unit to transmit a notification message to the other electronic device based on whether the other electronic device is in a worn state or an unworn state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/707,960 filed on Sep. 18, 2017, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/627,979 filed on Feb. 20, 2015, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,769,759 issued on Sep. 19, 2017, which claims priorityto Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0020160 filed on Feb. 21, 2014,the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device communicable withother electronic device and a power saving method thereof.

BACKGROUND

With the development of electronic technology, various electronicdevices have been developed. In recent years, in accordance with theminiaturization of electronic devices, portable electronic devices suchas mobile phones and table PCs have been widely used.

Wearable portable electronic devices such as smart watches and smartglasses have been developed in recent years. Such electronic devices mayprovide various functions as interoperating with other electronicdevices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and TVs.

The above-mentioned portable electronic devices use batteries as powerin general due to their portable property. When a battery is discharged,a portable electronic device becomes unavailable without charging orreplacing the battery. Accordingly, a user cannot use an electronicdevice when it is needed due to battery discharge.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object toprovide an electronic device used for a longer time with a limitedbattery capacity by reducing battery consumption and a power savingmethod thereof.

Various embodiments of the disclosure are directed to providing anelectronic device efficiently managing a battery capacity by providing abattery state and a power saving method thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes a communication unit and processing circuitry. Thecommunication unit is configured to receive information on whether auser wears other electronic device. The processing circuitry configuredto, responsive to a predetermined event occurring, determine whether theother electronic device is worn by the user. The processing circuitryalso configured to control the communication unit to transmit anotification message to the other electronic device based on whether theother electronic device is in a worn state or an unworn state.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice includes a communication unit and processing circuitry. Thecommunication unit configured to receive a notification messageassociated with an event occurring with another electronic device. Theprocessing circuitry configured to determine whether a user is wearingthe electronic device by sensing a state of the electronic device. Theprocessing circuitry configured to perform a notification of the eventoccurring from the other electronic device based on whether theelectronic device is in a worn state or unworn state.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a powersaving method. The method includes determining whether an electronicdevice is worn by a user. The method also includes determining whetherto provide a notification by using the electronic device on the basis ofwhether the electronic device is worn by the user. The notification isprovided based on whether the electronic device is worn by the user.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram showing a configuration of a powersaving system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process of a power saving method of a power savingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of a power saving method of a power savingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of a power saving method of a power savingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process of a power saving method of a power savingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram showing a configuration of a firstelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram showing a configuration of a secondelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram showing a first electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process of a power saving method of a firstelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a process of a power saving method of a secondelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 10, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system and method. Hereinafter,various embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed withreference to the accompanying drawings. Various modifications arepossible in various embodiments of the present disclosure and specificembodiments are illustrated in drawings and related detaileddescriptions are listed. Thus, it is intended that the presentdisclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosureprovided they come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents. With respect to the descriptions of the drawings, likereference numerals refer to like elements.

The term “include,” “comprise,” and “have”, or “may include,” or “maycomprise” and “may have” used herein indicates disclosed functions,operations, or existence of elements but does not exclude otherfunctions, operations or elements. The meaning of “include,” “comprise,”“including,” or “comprising,” specifies a property, a region, a fixednumber, a step, a process, an element and/or a component but does notexclude other properties, regions, fixed numbers, steps, processes,elements and/or components.

The meaning of the term “or” used herein includes any or allcombinations of the words connected by the term “or”. For instance, theexpression “A or B” may indicate include A, B, or both A and B.

The terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “first”, “second”, and the like usedherein may refer to modifying various different elements of variousembodiments, but do not limit the elements. For instance, such terms donot limit the order and/or priority of the elements. Furthermore, suchterms may be used to distinguish one element from another element. Forinstance, both “a first user device” and “a second user device” indicatea user device but indicate different user devices from each other. Forexample, a first component may be referred to as a second component andvice versa without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present.

Terms used in this specification are used to describe specificembodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unlessthey have a clearly different meaning in the context.

Unless otherwise defined herein, all the terms used herein, whichinclude technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning that isgenerally understood by a person skilled in the art.

It will be further understood that terms, which are defined in thedictionary and in commonly used, should also be interpreted as iscustomary in the relevant related art and not in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein in various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may have a communication function. For instance, electronicdevices may include at least one of smartphones, tablet personalcomputers (PCs), mobile phones, video phones, electronic book (e-book)readers, desktop personal computers (PCs), laptop personal computers(PCs), netbook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portablemultimedia player (PMPs), MP3 players, mobile medical devices, cameras,and wearable devices (e.g., head-mounted-devices (HMDs) such aselectronic glasses, electronic apparel, electronic bracelets, electronicnecklaces, electronic accessories, electronic tattoos, and smartwatches).

According to some embodiments, an electronic device may be smart homeappliances including a communication function. The smart home appliancesmay include at least one of, for example, televisions, digital videodisk (DVD) players , audios, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners,ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, air cleaners, set-top boxes,TV boxes (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™ or Google TV™), gameconsoles, electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, andelectronic picture frames.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic devicemay include at least one of various medical devices (for example,magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) devices, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) devices, computed tomography (CT) devices, medical imagingdevices, ultrasonic devices, and the like), navigation devices, globalpositioning system (GPS) receivers, event data recorders (EDRs), flightdata recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, marine electronicequipment (for example, marine navigation systems, gyro compasses, andthe like), avionics, security equipment, car head units, industrial orhousehold robots, financial institutions' automatic teller's machines(ATMs), and stores' point of sales (POS).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice may include at least one of furniture or buildings/structuresincluding a communication function, electronic boards, electronicsignature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuringinstruments (for example, water, electricity, gas, or radio signalmeasuring instruments). An electronic device according to an embodimentof the present disclosure may be one of the above-mentioned variousdevices or a combination thereof. Additionally, an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a flexibledevice. Furthermore, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosureis not limited to the above-mentioned devices.

Hereinafter, an electronic device according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure will be described in more detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings. The term “user” in various embodiments mayrefer to a person using an electronic device or a device using anelectronic device (for example, an artificial intelligent electronicdevice).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power savingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a power saving system 1000 includes a firstelectronic device 100 and a second electronic device 200. According toan embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may be implemented usinga portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or a tablet PC.According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may beimplemented using a wearable portable electronic device such as a smartwatch or a smart glass.

The first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 maycommunicate with each other by using short range wireless communicationtechnique such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC), andZigBee.

Once a predetermined event occurs, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200. Forexample, when receiving SMS or voce call, the first electronic device100 may transmit a notification message notifying that SMS or voice callis received to the second electronic device 200. For another example,when the battery remaining capacity becomes a predetermined capacity(for example, 15% or 10%), the first electronic device 100 may transmita notification message notifying a battery state to the secondelectronic device 200. For another example, when receiving anotification message by an event (for example, instant message receptionor new information registration in social network service (SNS))occurring from an installed application, the first electronic device 100may transmit a notification message for the event occurring in theapplication to the second electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, the notification message may includeinformation an event occurring from the first electronic device 100. Forexample, when receiving SMS message, the first electronic device 100 mayinclude SMS message content in a notification message and may thentransmit the notification message.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receiveinformation on whether a user wears the second electronic device 200from the second electronic device 200. According to whether the userwears the second electronic device 200, the first electronic device 100may transmit a notification message. For example, when the user wearsthe second electronic device 200, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200 andwhen the user does not wear the second electronic device 200, the firstelectronic device 100 may not transmit a notification message to thesecond electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receivea notification limiting time from the second electronic device 200.According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receivea setting for notification limiting time from a user. On the basis ofthe notification limiting time, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message. For example, the first electronicdevice 100 may not transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200 at the notification limiting time and the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200 at the time other than the notification limitingtime.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may transmita notification message on the basis of whether a user wears the secondelectronic device 200 and a notification limiting time. Whennotification message transmission criteria conflicts (for example, whena user wears the second electronic device 200 at a notification limitingtime), the first electronic device 100 may determine whether to transmita notification message according to a priority. According to anembodiment, priorities for a plurality of criteria may be set by a user.

According to an embodiment, when receiving information representing auser's wearing state from the second electronic device 200, the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message for an eventoccurring when the second electronic device 200 is not worn. When thereare a plurality of events occurring while the second electronic device200 is not worn by a user, a notification message for them may betransmitted.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may transmita notification message for an event occurring at the notificationlimiting time when being out of the notification limiting time. Whenthere are a plurality of events occurring at the notification limitingtime, a notification message for them may be transmitted.

The second electronic device 200 may determine whether a user wears it.According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 maydetermine whether a user wears it by using a gyro sensor, anacceleration sensor, a heart rate (HR) sensor, or a touch sensor. Forexample, the second electronic device 200 determines that it is wornwhen a heart rate or a touch is sensed from an HR sensor or a touchsensor. For another example, the second electronic device 200 determinesthat it is not worn when a movement is not detected from a gyro sensoror an acceleration sensor for more than a predetermines time. Foranother example, even when a movement is detected from a gyro sensor oran acceleration sensor but a heart rate or a touch is not sensed from anHR sensor or a touch sensor, the second electronic device 200 determinesthat it is not worn.

The second electronic device 200 may transmit information on whether auser wears it to the first electronic device 100. The second electronicdevice 200 may transmit information on whether a user wears it to thefirst electronic device 100.

The second electronic device 200 may receive a setting for notificationlimiting time from a user. When a notification limiting time is set, thesecond electronic device 200 may transmit the notification limiting timeto the first electronic device 100.

When receiving a notification message from the first electronic device100, the second electronic device 200 may notify an event occurring fromthe first electronic device to a user by using the received notificationmessage. According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200may notify an event occurring from the first electronic device 100 to auser by using at least one of display, vibration, and voice. Forexample, when the first electronic device 100 receives SMS message, thesecond electronic device 200 may display the SMS message on a displayand may then notify it to a user by the vibration of a vibration module.

According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notifyan event occurring from the first electronic device 100 to a useraccording to whether the user wears the second electronic device 200.For example, when worn by a user, the second electronic device 200 maynotify an event occurring from the first electronic device 100 and whilethe second electronic device 200 is not worn by a user by a user, maynot notify an event occurring from the first electronic device 100.

According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notifyan event occurring from the first electronic device 100 on the basis ofa notification limiting time set by a user. For example, the secondelectronic device 200 may not notify an event occurring from the firstelectronic device 100 at the notification limiting time and may notifyan event occurring from the first electronic device 100 at the timeother than the notification limiting time.

According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notifyan event occurring from the first electronic device 100 on the basis ofwhen a user wears the second electronic device 200 and a notificationlimiting time. When notification message transmission criteria conflicts(for example, when a user wears the second electronic device 200 at anotification limiting time), the second electronic device 200 maydetermine whether to transmit a notification message according to apriority. According to an embodiment, priorities for a plurality ofcriteria may be set by a user.

According to an embodiment, when an unworn state changes into a wornstate, the second electronic device 200 may notify that an eventcorresponding to a notification message received in an unworn stateoccurs. When a notification message received in an unworn state is inplurality, a plurality of events may be notified.

According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notifyan event corresponding to a notification message received at anotification limiting time when being out of the notification limitingtime. When a notification message received in an unworn state is inplurality, a plurality of events may be notified.

According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notnotify an event occurring from the first electronic device 100 in anunworn state. Accordingly, the second electronic device 200 may reducebattery consumption due to an unnecessary notification operation.

According to an embodiment, when the battery remaining capacity becomesa predetermined capacity (for example, 5%, 15%, or 100%), the secondelectronic device 200 may transmit a notification message to the firstelectronic device 100. According to an embodiment, when the batteryremaining capacity becomes a predetermined capacity in an unworn state,the second electronic device 200 may transmit a notification message tothe first electronic device 100. According to an embodiment, thenotification message may include information representing the batteryremaining capacity of the second electronic device 200.

When receiving a notification message from the second electronic device200, the first electronic device 100 may notify the battery remainingcapacity of the second electronic device 200 to a user. A user may inputa power saving mode enter command to reduce the battery consumption ofthe second electronic device 200. Once the power saving mode entercommand is inputted from a user, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a power saving mode enter signal to the second electronicdevice 200.

According to the power saving mode enter signal received from the firstelectronic device 100, the second electronic device 200 may enter apower saving mode.

Accordingly, even when not wearing the second electronic device 200, auser may obtain a battery state of the second electronic device 200through the first electronic device 100.

According to an embodiment, when the battery remaining capacity becomesa predetermined capacity (for example, 5%, 10%, or 100%), the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, if the battery remaining capacity becomes apredetermined capacity (for example, 5%, 10%, or 100%) while a userwears the second electronic device 200, the first electronic device 100may transmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200.

When receiving the notification message, the second electronic device200 may notify the battery remaining capacity of the first electronicdevice 100 to a user. A user may input a power saving mode enter commandto reduce the battery consumption of the first electronic device 100.Once the power saving mode enter command is inputted from a user, thesecond electronic device 200 may transmit a power saving mode entersignal to the first electronic device 100.

According to the power saving mode enter signal received from the secondelectronic device 200, the first electronic device 100 may enter a powersaving mode.

Accordingly, a user may check a battery state of the first electronicdevice 100 through the second electronic device 200 and may allow thefirst electronic device 100 to enter a power saving mode conveniently byusing the second electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 and thesecond electronic device 200 may communicate with each other through afirst communication method (for example, Bluetooth low energy (BLE)).According to an embodiment, as receiving a voice or video call while auser wears the second electronic device 200, the first electronic device100 may transmit a notification message including voice or video callreception information.

Once the notification message is received, the second electronic device200 may notify that the voice or video call is received. A user mayinput a voice or video call acceptance command. Once the voice or videocall acceptance command is inputted from a user, the second electronicdevice 200 may transmit a call acceptance signal to the first electronicdevice 100.

Once the call acceptance signal is received, the first electronic device100 may connect to the second electronic device 200 through a secondcommunication method (for example, Bluetooth classic). According to anembodiment, the first communication method may be a less powerconsumption method than the second communication method. According to anembodiment, the first electronic device 100 may release the connectionof the first communication method before connecting to the secondelectronic device 200 through the second communication method. The firstelectronic device 100 may transmit/receive voice data to/from the secondelectronic device 200 through the second communication method.

The first electronic device 100 may release the connection of the secondcommunication method with the second electronic device 200 once a voiceor video call is terminated. According to an embodiment, when theconnection of the first communication method is released according tothe connection of the second communication method, as the connection ofthe second communication method is released, the first electronic device100 may connect to the second electronic device 200 again through thefirst communication method.

The first electronic device 100 and the second electronic device 200 mayreduce battery consumption by using the first communication method,except for voice data transmission.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving method of a powersaving system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 may be configured with time-seriesprocesses in the power saving system shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, evencontents omitted below, which are described above for the power savingsystem shown in FIG. 1, may be applied to the flowchart of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second electronic device 200 determines whethera user wears it to decide an unworn state in operation S202. The secondelectronic device 200 may transmit information representing an unwornstate to the first electronic device 100 in operation S204. According toan embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may determine whether auser wears it by using a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heartrate (HR) sensor, or a touch sensor.

Once a predetermined event occurs when a user does not wear the secondelectronic device 200 in operation S206, the first electronic device 100may not transmit a notification message to the second electronic device200 in operation S208.

When in a worn state in operation S210, the second electronic device 200may transmit information on the worn state to the first electronicdevice 100 in operation S212. According to an embodiment, each time auser's wearing state changes, the second electronic device 200 maytransmit information representing the user's wearing state to the firstelectronic device 100.

When receiving information representing a user's wearing state from thesecond electronic device 200, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message for an event occurring when the secondelectronic device 200 is not worn in operation S214.

Once the notification message is received, the second electronic device200 may notify an event occurring in an unworn state in operation S216.According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notifyan event corresponding to the received notification message to a user byusing at least one of display, vibration, and voice.

The second electronic device 200 may receive a setting for notificationlimiting time in operation S218. When a notification limiting time isset, the second electronic device 200 may transmit the notificationlimiting time to the first electronic device 100 in operation S220.According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receivea setting for notification limiting time from a user.

Once a predetermined event occurs in operation S222, the firstelectronic device 100 may determine whether the event occurs at anotification limiting time in operation S224. When the event occurs atthe notification limiting time in operation S224-Y, the first electronicdevice 100 may not transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200 in operation S226. When the event does not occurat the notification limiting time in operation S224-N, the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200 in operation S228.

When receiving the notification message from the first electronic device100, the second electronic device 200 may notify an event correspondingto the received notification message in operation S230.

According to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2, thesecond electronic device 200 may reduce battery consumption due to anunnecessary notification operation in a situation that a user cannotrecognize.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving method of a powersaving system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second electronic device 200 determines whethera user wears to decide an unworn state in operation S302. According toan embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may determine whether auser wears it by using a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heartrate (HR) sensor, or a touch sensor. Once a predetermined event occursin the first electronic device 100 in operation S304, the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200 in operation S306.

Once the notification message is received in an unworn state, the secondelectronic device 200 may not notify an event corresponding to thereceived notification message in operation S308. According to anembodiment, the second electronic device 200 may notify an eventoccurring from the first electronic device 100 to a user according towhether the user wears the second electronic device 200. For example,when worn by a user, the second electronic device 200 may notify anevent occurring from the first electronic device 100 and while thesecond electronic device 200 is not worn by a user by a user, may notnotify an event occurring from the first electronic device 100.

When the second electronic device 200 becomes in a worn state inoperation S310, the second electronic device 200 may notify an eventcorresponding to the notification message received in an unworn state inoperation S312. According to an embodiment, the second electronic device200 may notify an event corresponding to the received notificationmessage to a user by using at least one of display, vibration, andvoice.

The second electronic device 200 may receive a setting for notificationlimiting time in operation S314. Once a predetermined event occurs fromthe first electronic device 100 after the notification limiting timesetting in operation S316, the first electronic device 100 may transmita notification message to the second electronic device 200 in operationS318. According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 mayreceive a setting for notification limiting time from a user. The firstelectronic device 100 may transmit the notification limiting time set bya user to the second electronic device 200.

Once the notification message is received, the second electronic device200 may determine whether the event occurs at the notification limitingtime in operation S320. When the event occurs at the notificationlimiting time in operation S320-Y, the second electronic device 100 maynot notify an event corresponding to the received notification messagein operation S322. When the event does not occur at the notificationlimiting time in operation S330-N, the second electronic device 200 maynot notify an event corresponding to the received notification messagein operation S324.

According to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, thesecond electronic device 200 may reduce battery consumption due to anunnecessary notification operation in a situation that a user cannotrecognize.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving method of a powersaving system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second electronic device 200 determines whethera user wears it to decide an unworn state in operation S402. Accordingto an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may determine whethera user wears it by using a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heartrate (HR) sensor, or a touch sensor.

The second electronic device 200 checks the battery remaining capacityof the second electronic device 200 to determine whether it is apredetermined capacity. When the battery remaining capacity of thesecond electronic device 200 is the predetermined capacity in operationS404, the second electronic device 200 may transmit a notificationmessage to the first electronic device 100 in operation S406. Accordingto an embodiment, when the battery remaining capacity of the secondelectronic device 200 becomes the predetermined capacity in an unwornstate, the second electronic device 200 may transmit a notificationmessage to the first electronic device 100. According to an embodiment,the notification message may include information on the batteryremaining capacity of the second electronic device 200.

When receiving the notification message, the first electronic device 100may notify that the battery remaining capacity of the second electronicdevice 200 is the predetermined capacity in operation S408. According toan embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may notify that thebattery remaining capacity of the second electronic device 200 is thepredetermined capacity by using at least one of display, vibration, andvoice.

The first electronic device 100 may receive a power saving mode entercommand from a user in operation S410. Once the power saving mode entercommand is inputted from a user, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a power saving mode enter signal to the second electronicdevice 200 in operation S412.

According to the power saving mode enter signal received from the firstelectronic device 100, the second electronic device 100 may enter apower saving mode.

Accordingly, even when not wearing the second electronic device 200, auser may obtain a battery state of the second electronic device 200through the first electronic device 100 and also may expect a usageavailable time of the second electronic device 200. Additionally, thesecond electronic device 200 may enter a power saving mode convenientlyby using the first electronic device 100.

The second electronic device 200 may determine whether a user wears itto decide a worn state in operation S416. According to an embodiment,the second electronic device 200 may transmit information representing aworn state to the first electronic device 100.

The first electronic device 100 checks its battery remaining capacity todetermine whether the batter remaining capacity is a predeterminedcapacity. When the battery remaining capacity of the first electronicdevice 100 is the predetermined capacity in operation S418, the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200 in operation S420. According to an embodiment,when the second electronic device 200 is in a worn state, the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message to the secondelectronic device 200.

When receiving the notification message, the second electronic device200 may notify that the battery remaining capacity of the firstelectronic device 100 is the predetermined capacity in operation S422.According to an embodiment, when in a user's wearing state, the secondelectronic device 200 may notify that the battery remaining capacity ofthe first electronic device 100 is the predetermined capacity.

The second electronic device 200 may receive a power saving mode entercommand from a user in operation S424. Once the power saving mode entercommand is inputted from a user, the second electronic device 200 maytransmit a power saving mode enter signal to the first electronic device100 in operation S426.

According to the power saving mode enter signal received from the secondelectronic device 200, the first electronic device 100 may enter a powersaving mode in operation S428.

Accordingly, a user may check a battery state of the first electronicdevice 100 through the second electronic device 200 and also may expecta usage available time of the first electronic device 100. Additionally,the first electronic device 100 may enter a power saving modeconveniently by using the second electronic device 200.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving method of a powersaving system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first electronic device 100 and the secondelectronic device 200 may connect to each other through a firstcommunication method (for example, Bluetooth low energy (BLE)). Thesecond electronic device 200 may determine whether a user wears it todecide a worn state in operation S504. According to an embodiment, thesecond electronic device 200 may determine whether a user wears it byusing a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heart rate (HR) sensor,or a touch sensor. According to an embodiment, the second electronicdevice 200 may transmit information representing a worn state to thefirst electronic device 100.

The first electronic device 100 may receive a voice or video call inoperation S506. As receiving a voice or video call, the first electronicdevice 100 may transmit a notification message including voice or videocall reception information to the second electronic device 200 inoperation S508. According to an embodiment, when the second electronicdevice 100 is in a worn state, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message including voice or video call receptioninformation to the second electronic device 200.

Once the notification message is received, the second electronic device200 may notify that the voice or video call is received in operationS510. According to an embodiment, once the notification message isreceived while the second electronic device in a user's wearing state,the second electronic device 200 may notify that the voice or video callis received.

The second electronic device 200 may receive a voice or video callacceptance command from a user in operation S512. Once the voice orvideo call acceptance command is inputted from a user, the secondelectronic device 200 may transmit a call acceptance signal to the firstelectronic device 100 in operation S514.

Once the call acceptance signal is received, the first electronic device100 may connect to the second electronic device 200 through a secondcommunication method (for example, Bluetooth classic) in operation S516.According to an embodiment, the first communication method may be a lesspower consumption method than the second communication method. Accordingto an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may release theconnection of the first communication method before connecting to thesecond electronic device 200 through the second communication method.The first electronic device 100 may transmit/receive voice data to/fromthe second electronic device 200 through the second communication methodin operation S518.

Once the voice or video call is terminated in operation S520, the firstelectronic device 100 may release the second communication method withthe second electronic device 200 in operation S512. According to anembodiment, when the connection of the first communication method isreleased according to the connection of the second communication method,as the connection of the second communication method is released, thefirst electronic device 100 may connect to the second electronic device200 again through the first communication method.

Accordingly, the first electronic device 100 and the second electronicdevice 200 may reduce battery consumption by using the firstcommunication method, except for voice data transmission.

A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure mayinclude checking whether a user wears the second electronic device 200and determining whether to provide a notification through the secondelectronic device 200 on the basis of whether the user wears the secondelectronic device 200. The determining of whether to provide thenotification includes providing a notification when the user wears thesecond electronic device and not providing a notification when the userdoes not wear the second electronic device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a firstelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, a first electronic device 100 may include acommunication unit 110, a notification unit 120, and a control unit 130.

The communication unit 110 may be connected to communicate with thesecond electronic device 200. According to an embodiment, thecommunication unit 110 may receive information on whether a user wearsthe second electronic device 200 from the second electronic device 200.

Once a predetermined event occurs, the communication unit 110 maytransmit a notification message for the event to the second electronicdevice 200. According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 maytransmit a notification message for the event to the second electronicdevice 200 on the basis of whether a user wears the second electronicdevice 200. For example, when the user wears the second electronicdevice 200, the communication unit 110 may transmit a notificationmessage to the second electronic device 200 and when the user does notwear the second electronic device 200, the communication unit 110 maynot transmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, the notification message may includeinformation an event occurring from the first electronic device 100. Forexample, when receiving SMS message, the first electronic device 100 mayinclude SMS message content in a notification message and may thentransmit the notification message.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 may receive anotification limiting time from the second electronic device 200. On thebasis of the notification limiting time, the communication unit 110 maytransmit a notification message. For example, the communication unit 110may not transmit a notification message to the second electronic device200 at the notification limiting time and the communication unit 110 maytransmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200 atthe time other than the notification limiting time.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 may transmit anotification message on the basis of whether a user wears the secondelectronic device 200 and a notification limiting time. Whennotification message transmission criteria conflicts (for example, whena user wears the second electronic device 200 at a notification limitingtime), the communication unit 110 may determine whether to transmit anotification message according to a priority. According to anembodiment, priorities for a plurality of criteria may be set by a user.

According to an embodiment, when receiving information representing auser's wearing state from the second electronic device 200, thecommunication unit 110 may transmit a notification message for an eventoccurring when the second electronic device 200 is not worn. When thereare a plurality of events occurring while the second electronic device200 is not worn by a user, a notification message for them may betransmitted.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 may transmit anotification message for an event occurring at the notification limitingtime when being out of the notification limiting time. When there are aplurality of events occurring at the notification limiting time, anotification message for them may be transmitted.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 may transmit anotification limiting time inputted to the input unit 140 to the secondelectronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, as the battery remaining capacity is lowerthan a predetermined capacity while the second electronic device 200 isin a worn state, the communication unit 110 may transmit a notificationmessage to the second electronic device 200. According to an embodiment,the communication unit 110 may receive a power saving mode enter signalfrom second electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 may receive anotification message representing a battery state of the secondelectronic device 200 from the second electronic device 200. Thenotification message may include information representing the batteryremaining capacity of the second electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, once a power saving mode enter command isinputted to the input unit 140, the communication unit 110 may transmita power saving mode enter signal to the second electronic device 200.According to an embodiment, the communication unit 110 may communicatewith the second electronic device 200 through a first communicationmethod (for example, Bluetooth low energy (BLE)). According to anembodiment, as receiving a voice or video call while a user wears thesecond electronic device 200, the communication unit 110 may transmit anotification message including voice or video call receptioninformation.

Once the call acceptance signal is received from the second electronicdevice 200, the communication unit 110 may connect to the secondelectronic device 200 through a second communication method (forexample, Bluetooth classic). According to an embodiment, thecommunication unit 110 may release the connection of the firstcommunication method before connecting to the second electronic device200 through Bluetooth classic. The first electronic device 100 maytransmit/receive voice data to/from the second electronic device 200through the second communication method.

Once a predetermined event occurs from the first electronic device 100,the notification unit 120 may notify the occurring event to a user.According to an embodiment, the notification unit 120 may include atleast one of a display, a vibration module, or an audio module. Thenotification unit 120 may notify an event to a user by using at leastone of display, vibration, or voice. For example, on the receipt of SMSmessage, the notification unit 120 may display the content of the SMSmessage on a display and may then notify it to a user by the vibrationof a vibration module.

According to an embodiment, on the receipt of a notification messagerepresenting a battery state of the second electronic device 200, thenotification unit 120 may notify the battery state of the secondelectronic device 200.

The control unit 130 may control overall operations of the firstelectronic device 100. According to an embodiment, the control unit 130may perform a control to transmit a notification message on the basis ofwhether a user wears the second electronic device 200.

According to an embodiment, the control unit 130 may perform a controlto transmit a notification message on the basis of a notificationlimiting time. According to an embodiment, on the receipt of a powersaving mode enter signal from the second electronic device 200, thecontrol unit 130 may perform a control to enter a power saving mode.

The input unit 140 may receive a user command. According to anembodiment, the input unit 140 may receive a notification limiting timefrom a user. According to an embodiment, the input unit 140 may receivea power saving mode enter command from a user.

According to an embodiment, the input unit 140 may be implemented usinga touch screen or a touch pad, each operating by a user's touch input.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a firstelectronic device includes a communication unit receiving information onwhether a user wears a second electronic device from the secondelectronic device and a control unit performing a control to transmit anotification message for an event to the second electronic device on thebasis of whether the user wears the second electronic device once apredetermined event occurs. The control unit transmits a notificationmessage to the second electronic device when the user wears the secondelectronic device and does not transmit a notification message to thesecond electronic device when the user does not wear the secondelectronic device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a secondelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, a second electronic device 200 may include acommunication unit 210, a sensing unit 220, a notification unit 230, aninput unit 240, and a control unit 250.

The communication unit 210 may be connected to communicate with thefirst electronic device 100. According to an embodiment, thecommunication unit 210 may transmit information on whether a user wearsthe second electronic device 200 determined by the sensing unit 220 tothe first electronic device 100. According to an embodiment, thecommunication unit 210 may transmit information on whether a user wearsthe second electronic device 200 to the first electronic device 100 eachtime a user's wearing state changes.

The communication unit 210 may receive a notification message from thefirst electronic device 100.

When the battery remaining capacity becomes a predetermined capacity(for example, 5%, 15%, or 100%) in an unworn state, the communicationunit 210 may transmit a notification message to the first electronicdevice 100. According to an embodiment, the notification message mayinclude information representing the battery remaining capacity of thesecond electronic device 200.

Once a power saving mode enter command is inputted to the input unit240, the communication unit 210 may transmit a power saving mode entersignal to the first electronic device 100.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit 210 may communicatewith the first electronic device 100 through BLE. According to anembodiment, as the first electronic device 100 receives a voice or videocall, the communication unit 210 may communicate with the firstelectronic device 100 through Bluetooth classic. The communication unit210 may transmit/receive voice data to/from the first electronic device100 through Bluetooth classic.

The sensing unit 220 may determine whether a user wears the secondelectronic device 200. According to an embodiment, the sensing unit 220may include a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heart rate (HR)sensor, or a touch sensor. The sensing unit 220 determines whether auser wears the second electronic device 200 by using a sensing valueinputted from a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a heart rate (HR)sensor, or a touch sensor. For example, the second electronic device 200determines that it is worn when a heart rate or a touch is sensed froman HR sensor or a touch sensor. For another example, the secondelectronic device 200 determines that it is not worn when a movement isnot detected from a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor for more thana predetermines time. For another example, even when a movement isdetected from a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor but a heart rateor a touch is not sensed from an HR sensor or a touch sensor, the secondelectronic device 200 determines that it is not worn.

When receiving a notification message from the first electronic device100, the notification unit 230 may notify an event occurring from thefirst electronic device to a user by using the received notificationmessage. According to an embodiment, the notification unit 230 mayinclude at least one of a display, a vibration module, or an audiomodule. The notification unit 230 may notify an event to a user by usingat least one of display, vibration, or voice.

According to an embodiment, the notification unit 230 may notify anevent occurring from the first electronic device 100 to a user accordingto whether the user wears the second electronic device 200. For example,when the second electronic device 200 is worn by a user, thenotification unit 230 may notify an event occurring from the firstelectronic device 100 and when the second electronic device 200 is notworn by a user, may not notify an event occurring from the firstelectronic device 100.

According to an embodiment, the notification unit 230 may notify anevent occurring from the first electronic device 100 on the basis of anotification limiting time inputted by a user. For example, the firstelectronic device 100 may not notify an event occurring from the firstelectronic device 100 at the notification limiting time and may notifyan event occurring from the first electronic device 100 at the timeother than the notification limiting time.

According to an embodiment, the notification unit 230 may notify anevent occurring from the first electronic device 100 on the basis ofwhether a user wears the second electronic device 200 and a notificationlimiting time. When notification criteria conflicts (for example, when auser wears the second electronic device 200 at a notification limitingtime), the notification unit 230 may determine whether to transmit anotification message according to a priority. According to anembodiment, priorities for a plurality of criteria may be set by a user.

According to an embodiment, when an unworn state changes into a wornstate, the notification unit 230 may notify that an event correspondingto a notification message received in an unworn state occurs. When anotification message received in an unworn state is in plurality, aplurality of events may be notified.

According to an embodiment, the notification unit 230 may notify anevent corresponding to a notification message received at a notificationlimiting time when being out of the notification limiting time. When anotification message received in an unworn state is in plurality, aplurality of events may be notified.

The input unit 240 may receive a user command. According to anembodiment, the input unit 240 may receive a notification limiting timefrom a user. According to an embodiment, the input unit 240 may receivea power saving mode enter command from a user. According to anembodiment, the input unit 240 may receive a voice or video callacceptance command from a user.

According to an embodiment, the input unit 240 may be implemented usinga touch screen or a touch pad, each operating by a user's touch input.

The control unit 250 may control overall operations of the secondelectronic device 200. According to an embodiment, the control unit 250may perform a control to notify an event corresponding to a notificationmessage on the basis of whether a user wears the second electronicdevice 200. According to an embodiment, the control unit 250 may performa control to notify an event corresponding to a notification message onthe basis of a notification limiting time.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a secondelectronic device includes a communication unit receiving from a firstelectronic device a notification message for an event occurring from thefirst electronic device, a sensing unit determining whether a user wearsthe second electronic device by using a state of the second electronicdevice, and a notification unit notifying an event occurring from thefirst electronic device while the second electronic device is in a wornstate and not notifying an event occurring from the first electronicdevice if the second electronic device is not in a worn state.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a first electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure. A firstelectronic device, for example, may configure all or part of theabove-mentioned first electronic device 100 shown in FIG. 6. Referringto FIG. 8, the first electronic device includes at least one applicationprocessor (AP) 810, a communication module 820, a subscriberidentification module (SIM) card 824, a memory 830, a sensor module 840,an input device 850, a display 860, an interface 870, an audio module880, a camera module 891, a power management module 895, a battery 896,an indicator 897, and a motor 898.

The AP 810 may control a plurality of hardware or software componentsconnected to the AP 810 and also may perform various data processing andoperations with multimedia data by executing an operating system or anapplication program. The AP 810 may be implemented with a system on chip(SoC), for example. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the processor 810 may further include a graphic processingunit (GPU) (not shown).

The communication module 820 (for example, the communication unit 110)may perform data transmission through a communication between otherelectronic devices connected to the first electronic device (forexample, the first electronic device 100) via a network. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the communication module 820 mayinclude a cellular module 821, a Wifi module 823, a BT module 825, a GPSmodule 827, an NFC module 828, and a radio frequency (RF) module 829.

The cellular module 821 may provide voice calls, video calls, textservices, or internet services through a communication network (forexample, LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, or GSM). The cellularmodule 821 may perform a distinction and authentication operation on anelectronic device in a communication network by using a subscriberidentification module (for example, the SIM card 824), for example.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellularmodule 821 may perform at least part of a function that the AP 810provides. For example, the cellular module 821 may perform at least partof a multimedia control function.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellularmodule 821 may further include a communication processor (CP).Additionally, the cellular module 821 may be implemented with SoC, forexample. As shown in FIG. 8, components such as the cellular module 821(for example, a CP), the memory 830, or the power management module 895are separated from the AP 810, but according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the AP 810 may be implemented including some of theabove-mentioned components (for example, the cellular module 821).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the AP 810 or thecellular module 821 (for example, a CP) may load instructions or data,which are received from a nonvolatile memory or at least one of othercomponents connected thereto, into a volatile memory and then mayprocess them. Furthermore, the AP 810 or the cellular module 821 maystore data received from or generated by at least one of othercomponents in a nonvolatile memory.

Each of the Wifi module 823, the BT module 825, the GPS module 827, andthe NFC module 828 may include a processor for processing datatransmitted/received through a corresponding module. Although thecellular module 821, the Wifi module 823, the BT module 825, the GPSmodule 827, and the NFC module 828 are shown as separate blocks in FIG.8, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, some (forexample, at least two) of the cellular module 821, the Wifi module 823,the BT module 825, the GPS module 827, and the NFC module 828 may beincluded in one integrated chip (IC) or an IC package. For example, atleast some (for example, a CP corresponding to the cellular module 821and a Wifi processor corresponding to the Wifi module 823) of thecellular module 825, the Wifi module 827, the BT module 828, the GPSmodule 821, and the NFC module 823 may be implemented with one SoC.

The RF module 829 may be responsible for data transmission, for example,the transmission of an RF signal. Although not shown in the drawings,the RF module 829 may include a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), afrequency filter, or a low noise amplifier (LNA). Additionally, the RFmodule 829 may further include components for transmitting/receivingelectromagnetic waves on a free space in a wireless communication, forexample, conductors or conducting wires. Although the cellular module821, the Wifi module 823, the BT module 825, the GPS module 827, and theNFC module 828 share one RF module 829 shown in FIG. 8, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the cellularmodule 821, the Wifi module 823, the BT module 825, the GPS module 827,and the NFC module 828 may perform the transmission of an RF signalthrough an additional RF module.

The SIM card 824 may be a card including a subscriber identificationmodule and may be inserted into a slot formed at a specific position ofa first electronic device. The SIM card 824 may include uniqueidentification information (for example, an integrated circuit cardidentifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (for example, aninternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 830 may include an internal memory 832 or an external memory834. The internal memory 832 may include at least one of a volatilememory (for example, dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronousdynamic RAM (SDRAM)) and a non-volatile memory (for example, one timeprogrammable ROM (OTPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable andprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM(EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, NAND flash memory, and NOR flash memory).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the internalmemory 832 may be a Solid State Drive (SSD). The external memory 834 mayfurther include flash drive, for example, compact flash (CF), securedigital (SD), micro secure digital (Micro-SD), mini secure digital(Mini-SD), extreme digital (xD), or memory stick. The external memory834 may be functionally connected to the first electronic device throughvarious interfaces. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the first electronic device may further include a storagedevice (or a storage medium) such as a hard drive.

The sensor module 840 measures physical quantities or detects anoperating state of the first electronic device, thereby converting themeasured or detected information into electrical signals. The sensormodule 840 may include at least one of a gesture sensor 840A, a gyrosensor 840B, a pressure sensor 840C, a magnetic sensor 840D, anacceleration sensor 840E, a grip sensor 840F, a proximity sensor 840G, acolor sensor 840H (for example, a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biosensor 840I, a temperature/humidity sensor 840J, an illumination sensor840K, and an ultra violet (UV) sensor 840M. Additionally/alternately,the sensor module 840 may include an E-nose sensor (not shown), anelectromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor (notshown), an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor (not shown), an infra red (IR)sensor (not shown), an iris sensor (not shown), or a fingerprint sensor(not shown). The sensor module 840 may further include a control circuitfor controlling at least one sensor therein.

The input module 850 may include a touch panel 852, a (digital) pensensor 854, a key 856, or an ultrasonic input device 858. The touchpanel 852 may recognize a touch input through at least one ofcapacitive, resistive, infrared, or ultrasonic methods, for example.Additionally, the touch panel 852 may further include a control circuit.In the example of the capacitive method, both direct touch and proximityrecognition are possible. The touch panel 852 may further include atactile layer. In this example, the touch panel 852 may provide atactile response to a user.

The (digital) pen sensor 854 may be implemented through a method similaror identical to that of receiving a user's touch input or an additionalsheet for recognition. The key 856 may include a physical button, atouch key, an optical key, or a keypad, for example. The ultrasonicinput device 858, as a device checking data by detecting sound wavesthrough a mike (for example, the mike 888) in the first electronicdevice, may provide wireless recognition through an input toolgenerating ultrasonic signals. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the first electronic device may receive a user input from anexternal device (for example, a computer or a server) connected to theelectronic device 901 through the communication module 820.

The display 860 may include a panel 862, a hologram device 864, or aprojector 866. The panel 862, for example, may include a liquid-crystaldisplay (LCD) or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode(AM-OLED). The panel 862 may be implemented to be flexible, transparent,or wearable, for example. The panel 862 and the touch panel 852 may beconfigured with one module. The hologram 864 may show three-dimensionalimages in the air by using the interference of light. The projector 866may display an image by projecting light on a screen. The screen, forexample, may be placed inside or outside the first electronic device.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display 860may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel 862, thehologram device 864, or the projector 866.

The interface 870 may include a high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) 872, a universal serial bus (USB) 874, an optical interface 876,or a D-subminiature (sub) 878, for example. Additionally/alternately,the interface 870 may include a mobile high-definition link (MHL)interface, a secure Digital (SD) card/multi-media card (MMC) interface,or an infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module 880 may convert sound and electrical signals in bothdirections. The audio module 880 may process sound informationinputted/outputted through a speaker 882, a receiver 884, an earphone886, or a mike 888.

The camera module 891, as a device for capturing a still image and avideo, may include at least one image sensor (for example, a frontsensor or a rear sensor), a lens (not shown), an image signal processor(ISP) (not shown), or a flash (not shown) (for example, an LED or axenon lamp).

The power management module 895 may manage the power of the firstelectronic device. Although not shown in the drawings, the powermanagement module 895 may include a power management integrated circuit(PMIC), a charger integrated circuit (IC), or a battery or fuel gauge,for example.

The PMIC may be built in an IC or SoC semiconductor, for example. Acharging method may be classified as a wired method and a wirelessmethod. The charger IC may charge a battery and may prevent overvoltageor overcurrent flow from a charger. According to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the charger IC may include a charger IC for at leastone of a wired charging method and a wireless charging method. As thewireless charging method, for example, there is a magnetic resonancemethod, a magnetic induction method, or an electromagnetic method. Anadditional circuit for wireless charging, for example, a circuit such asa coil loop, a resonant circuit, or a rectifier circuit, may be added.

The battery gauge may measure the remaining amount of the battery 896,or a voltage, current, or temperature of the battery 396 duringcharging. The battery 896 may store or generate electricity and maysupply power to the first electronic device by using the stored orgenerated electricity. The battery 896, for example, may include arechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The indicator 897 may display a specific state of the first electronicdevice or part thereof (for example, the AP 810), for example, a bootingstate, a message state, or a charging state. The motor 898 may convertelectrical signals into mechanical vibration. Although not shown in thedrawings, the first electronic device may include a processing device(for example, a GPU) for mobile TV support. A processing device formobile TV support may process media data according to the standards suchas digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting(DVB), or media flow.

Each of the above-mentioned components of the first electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure may beconfigured with at least one component and the name of a correspondingcomponent may vary according to the kind of an electronic device. Afirst electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be configured including at least one of theabove-mentioned components or additional other components. Additionally,some of components in a first electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure are configured as one entity, sothat functions of previous corresponding components are performedidentically.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving method of a firstelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 may be configured with time-seriesprocesses in the first electronic device shown in FIG. 6. Accordingly,even contents omitted below, which are described above for the firstelectronic device shown in FIG. 9, may be applied to the flowchart ofFIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first electronic device 100 may receiveinformation on whether a user wears the second electronic device 200 inoperation S910. Once a predetermined event occurs in the firstelectronic device 100 in operation S920, the first electronic device 100may transmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200on the basis of whether a user wears the second electronic device 200 inoperation S930. According to an embodiment, when the second electronicdevice 200 is in a worn state, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message and if not, may not transmit anotification.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receivea notification limiting time from the second electronic device 200.According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receivea setting for notification limiting time from a user. On the basis ofthe notification limiting time, the first electronic device 100 maytransmit a notification message. For example, the communication unit 110may not transmit a notification message to the second electronic device200 at the notification limiting time and the communication unit 110 maytransmit a notification message to the second electronic device 200 atthe time other than the notification limiting time.

According to an embodiment, when receiving information representing auser's wearing state from the second electronic device 200, the firstelectronic device 100 may transmit a notification message on an eventoccurring when the second electronic device 200 is not worn. When thereare a plurality of events occurring while the second electronic device200 is not worn by a user, a notification message for them may betransmitted.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may transmita notification message for an event occurring at the notificationlimiting time when being out of the notification limiting time. Whenthere are a plurality of events occurring at the notification limitingtime, a notification message for them may be transmitted.

According to an embodiment, the first electronic device 100 may receivea notification message representing a battery state (for example, thebattery remaining capacity is 10% or 100%) from the second electronicdevice 200. When receiving the notification message representing thebattery state from the second electronic device 200, the firstelectronic device 100 may notify the battery state to a user.

According to an embodiment, upon the receipt of a voice or video call,the first electronic device 100 may transmit a notification message tothe second electronic device 200 through a first communication method(for example, Bluetooth low energy (BLE)). Once the voice or video callacceptance signal is received from the second electronic device 200, thefirst electronic device 100 may connect to the second electronic device200 through a second communication method (for example, Bluetoothclassic). The first electronic device 100 may transmit/receive voicedata to/from the second electronic device 200 through the secondcommunication method.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a powerwaving method of a first electronic device includes receivinginformation on whether a user wears a second electronic device from thesecond electronic device and transmitting a notification message for anevent to the second electronic device on the basis of whether the userwears the second electronic device once a predetermined event occurs.The transmitting of the notification message includes transmitting anotification message to the second electronic device when the user wearsthe second electronic device and not transmitting a notification messageto the second electronic device when the user does not wear the secondelectronic device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a power saving method of a secondelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 may be configured with time-seriesprocesses in the second electronic device shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly,even contents omitted below, which are described above for the secondelectronic device shown in FIG. 7, may be applied to the flowchart ofFIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the second electronic device 200 determineswhether a user wears it by sensing its state in operation S1010.According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 maydetermine whether a user wears it by using a gyro sensor, anacceleration sensor, a heart rate (HR) sensor, or a touch sensor.

The second electronic device 200 may receive a notification message foran event occurring from the first electronic device 100 from the firstelectronic device 100 in operation S1020.

The second electronic device 200 may notify an event occurring from thefirst electronic device 100 on the basis of whether a user wears thesecond electronic device 200 in operation S1030. For example, when wornby a user, the second electronic device 200 may notify an eventoccurring from the first electronic device 100 and when not worn by auser, may not notify an event occurring from the first electronic device100.

According to an embodiment, when an unworn state changes into a wornstate, the second electronic device 200 may notify that an eventcorresponding to a received notification message in an unworn stateoccurs.

According to an embodiment, the second electronic device 200 may receivea notification limiting time from a user. According to an embodiment,the second electronic device 200 may receive a notification limitingtime from the first electronic device 100. When receiving thenotification message from the first electronic device 100 at thenotification limiting time, the second electronic device 200 may notnotify an event occurring from the first electronic device 100.

According to an embodiment, when the battery remaining capacity becomesa predetermined state in a user's un-wearing state, the secondelectronic device 200 may transmit a notification message representing abattery state to the first electronic device 100.

According to an embodiment, upon the receipt of a notification messagenotifying that a battery capacity is less than a predetermined capacityin a user's wearing state, the second electronic device 200 may notify abattery state of the first electronic device to a user. Once the powersaving mode enter command is inputted from a user, the second electronicdevice 200 may transmit a power saving mode enter signal to the firstelectronic device 100.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a powersaving method of a second electronic device includes determining whethera user wears the second electronic device by sensing a state of thesecond electronic device, receiving from a first electronic device anotification message for an event occurring from the first electronicdevice, and notifying an event occurring from the first electronicdevice on the basis of whether the user wears the second electronicdevice. The notifying of the event occurring from the first electronicdevice includes notifying an event occurring from the first electronicdevice when the user wears the second electronic device or not notifyingan event occurring from the first electronic device when the user doesnot wear the second electronic device.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when notworn by a user, the second electronic device may not notify an eventoccurring from the first electronic device. Accordingly, the secondelectronic device may reduce battery consumption due to an unnecessarynotification operation.

Additionally, while not wearing the second electronic device, a user maycheck a battery state of the second electronic device through the firstelectronic device and may check a battery state of the first electronicdevice through the second electronic device. Additionally, the firstelectronic device may enter a power saving mode conveniently by usingthe second electronic device.

The first electronic device and the second electronic device may reducebattery consumption by communicating with each other through BLE, exceptfor voice data transmission.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a powersaving method of a first electronic device or a second electronic devicemay be implemented using a program executable by an electronic device.Then, such a program may be stored in various types of recording mediaand used.

In more detail, program code for executing the above method may bestored in various types of non-volatile recording media, for example,Flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM),Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM (EEPROM), hard disk,removable disk, memory card, USB memory, and CD-ROM.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplaryembodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a communicationunit configured to communicate with an external electronic device; and aprocessor configured to: connect to the external electronic device,after connecting to the external electronic device, in response to afirst predetermined event occurring, transmit a first notificationmessage to the external electronic device, receive, from the externalelectronic device, information that the external electronic device is inan unworn state, and after receiving the information that the externalelectronic device is in the unworn state, in response to a secondpredetermined event occurring, withhold transmitting a secondnotification message to the external electronic device.
 2. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: receive, from the external electronic device, a controlsignal indicating a setting for limiting notification; and withholdtransmitting the first notification message to the external electronicdevice when the first predetermined event occurs during the setting forlimiting notification.
 3. The electronic device according to claim 1,further comprising an input unit configured to receive a setting forlimiting notification, wherein the processor is further configured towithhold transmitting the first notification message to the externalelectronic device when the first predetermined event occurs during thesetting for limiting notification.
 4. The electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit thesecond notification message associated with the second predeterminedevent occurring in the unworn state when receiving information that theexternal electronic device is in a worn state from the externalelectronic device.
 5. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: in response toreceiving, from the external electronic device, a notification messagerepresenting a battery state of the external electronic device, notifythe battery state of the external electronic device to a user; andtransmit a power saving mode enter signal to the external electronicdevice.
 6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: transmit the first notificationmessage to the external electronic device through a first communicationmethod when receiving a voice call or a video call, and communicatevoice data with the external electronic device through a secondcommunication method when receiving a voice or video call acceptancesignal from the external electronic device.
 7. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the first communication method isBluetooth low energy (BLE) and the second communication method isBluetooth Classic.
 8. An electronic device comprising: a communicationunit configured to communicate with external electronic device; a sensorconfigured to sense whether a user is wearing the electronic device; anda processor configured to: connect to the external electronic device,after connecting to the external electronic device, receive a firstnotification message associated with a first event occurring with theexternal electronic device, perform a first notification of the firstevent occurring with the external electronic device, sense that theelectronic device is in an unworn state using the sensor, after sensingthat the electronic device is in the unworn state, receive a secondnotification message associated with a second event occurring with theexternal electronic device, and withhold performing a secondnotification of the second event occurring with the external electronicdevice.
 9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein when theelectronic device changes from the unworn state into a worn state, theprocessor is further configured to perform the second notification ofthe second event associated with the second notification messagereceived in the unworn state.
 10. The electronic device according toclaim 8, further comprising an input unit configured to receive asetting for limiting notification, wherein when receiving the firstnotification message during the setting for limiting notification, theprocessor is further configured to withhold performing the firstnotification of the first event occurring with the external electronicdevice.
 11. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein theprocessor is further configured to: receive a setting for limitingnotification from the external electronic device; and when receiving thefirst notification message during the setting for limiting notification,withhold performing the first notification of the first event occurringwith the external electronic device.
 12. The electronic device accordingto claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit, tothe external electronic device, a third notification messagerepresenting a battery state of the electronic device when a batteryremaining capacity becomes a predetermined capacity and the electronicdevice is in the unworn state.
 13. The electronic device according toclaim 8, wherein when receiving a notification message representing abattery state of the external electronic device while the electronicdevice is in a worn state, the processor is further configured to:perform a notification of the battery state of the external electronicdevice; and transmit a power saving mode enter signal to the externalelectronic device.